Henry A. Douglas, aged 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 5, 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Born on April 8, 1934 in Roanoke, Virginia to Henry Land and Inez Witt, Henry was raised in Kentucky by his mother and step-father, Conlee Douglas. He attended the University of Kentucky where he played basketball and was enrolled in the United States Army ROTC program. Henry married the love of his life, Mildred F. Campbell on June 26, 1955, in Sharpsburg, Kentucky. Together, they adopted four children, three sons and a daughter.
Henry served honorably for over 21 years in the United States Army including command of both infantry and rotary wing aviation units with service including multiple tours in Korea and Vietnam. He was a Purple Heart recipient and was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Upon his military retirement; Henry, Mildred, and their children settled in the Colorado Springs area where he began a second career with Walter Drake.
An avid nature lover, Henry was passionate about wildlife. Anyone who knew him surely remembers his daily routine of feeding the birds that visited his home. Ultimately, Henry changed the migratory pattern of the Canadian snow geese in the area due to the plentiful cracked corn and feed that he spread on his property for them. He had a contagious smile and laugh and enjoyed sharing stories from his life with anyone that wanted to listen. Affectionately known as “Pappo,” Henry was an incredible father and grandfather spending summers traveling and camping with his family, visiting museums to foster a curiosity for science, history, and nature, and instilled character building qualities of responsibility, hardworking, and self-discipline in his children and grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mildred and son Charles (Kim). Henry is survived by his daughter Theresa “Terri” Parsram, and sons Matthew (Rose) and Mark (Aimee), a younger sister Anne Lanier, grandsons Tony Parsram (Angela), David Parsram (Deborah), granddaughter Diana Parsram, and four great-grandchildren Dempsey, Dominic, Danielle, and Barrett Henry Parsram. Additionally, he is survived by numerous extended family members and life-long friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, January 17th, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80910. Reception to follow at 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 S. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80910. Burial will be at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Contributions may be made as a “Tribute Gift” online at https://alzfdn.org/donate/